Cops get cash awards for investigating 26/11 terror attacks

The Maharashtra government has sanctioned Rs 6.58 lakh as cash awards to 46 crime branch officials involved in the investigation of 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai.
A government resolution (GR) of the Maharashtra state home department said the decision came in the wake of Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan's announcement of a cash prize in August last year.
The investigating team has been rewarded for speedy completion of the probe and producing strong evidence. A 11,750-page charge sheet was filed within 90 days. Prosecution lawyers presented 659 witnesses.
The 46-member investigating team was led by Anti- Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief Rakesh Maria, who was then the Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime), and Special Inspector General Deven Bharti, who was then the Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime).

Maria, Bharti and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Duraphe have been awarded with certificates of merit.
Senior Inspector Ramesh Mahale, who was the investigating officer who put together the 11,750-page charge sheet, received Rs 1 lakh, while 11 police inspectors, 10 assistant police inspectors, one police sub-inspector and 16 constables have been awarded amounts ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 5,000.
As per government guidelines, no employee should be paid a cash award more than their total monthly salary.
However, in this case, the rule was relaxed.